The ColdRedHorse

You all know of the life fail, well here comes some more. Tuesday morning we got up early to head out to the BigRedHorse's new temporary home. Kelsey's mom has been so gracious to let him hang out with her gang for a few months. It was a nice, long, COLD 12 hour drive. We stopped half way at the Tamarack to get the boys out and walk around. Talk about getting looks. Who sees two huge horses walking around a truck stop parking lot. Ben toughed it out with no blanket and shipping boots. Olly had shipping boots too, only problem, when mom puts the boots on in the dark there is a pretty good chance that one will be put on up-side-down. Whoops. I made the BigRedHorse look retarded. lol. He also had on his winter blanket. We walked and trotted them around to get the blood moving and loaded them back up. Only six more hours to go.
As we drove we watched the temperature drop from 37* (in Va) to 23* (as we crossed the Indiana line). Ugh. I hate winter. We left Va with no snow on the ground and with what we thought were freezing temps. As the sun rose we saw more snow and no sun. Booooo! My boys were loving it. They have been waiting to play in snow (more than a few inches) all winter. The had their winter coats and grandma had boots and gloves waiting for them.
As we pull into Kelsey's my heart got lower and lower in my chest. This is it. This is where he will be staying for MONTHS. My heart was saying ball your eyes out like a little girl, but my mind said, suck it up, you have things to do.I pushed off my feelings for the moment to get the kids handled and all our stuff unloaded.
As Olly stepped off the trailer he was shivering. This didn't look good. Ben was glad to be home. Olly was glad to see new horsey friends. I turned him out and he went straight to the middle of the paddock to roll. Once he laid down he instantly jumped up and shook. This white stuff is Freeeeeezing! He trotted around found the HUGE round bale and took a few bites. I gave him hugs and shifted my attention to my boys and getting them in the car for the rest of the ride.
The BigRedHorse has had new experiences while staying at Kelsey's already. He now knows how to use an automatic water-er, thanks to Ben, and is dealing with a pony that isn't so fond of him. See Fast Track's girlfriend, Karma, is in heat and she chose Olly. The problem, Olly is totally not interested in her. Oh, well. He still has Ben. And there is nothing better than a close friend anytime!
I will be heading back that way to say goodbye to my BigRedHorse on Wednesday. And I would be lying if I didn't say I'm not tearing up now. It will be a rough day, but I will make it through. I will see the BigRedHorse again and that is the only thing that makes me ok with doing all this. I would just die if I had to sell my boy. A few months apart....? I will deal and not complain.

The BigRedHorse at his new home. 

Hopefully no more boo-boo's on the face. The fencing and barn here is in MUCH better condition than the Ft. Eustis barn. And by much better I mean not even comparable at how much better.

Olly, Karma and Ben. 

Another HOT Day in Va

This morning started out with me getting up early to make it to the barn to help with turn-outs. This would be Olly's first turn-out with the rest of the horses and some were worried that he may have issues. Whatever! The BigRedHorse...issues?? Ha! Of course he walked into the paddock and that was it, he was friends with everyone.

Making friends

I headed back home, Husband NEEDED to get some boat stuff done, and then we HAD to take it out to "test" it. I think he just wanted to go speeding around the river again. This time I did wear sunscreen ;)

Benni and I catching the wind.

After dinner I met up with Tif to go for a ride. I got to the barn about 1730. I headed straight to Olly's stall, and what did I find? My BigRedHorse drenched in sweat. I paniced alittle! WTF?? He was a bit lethargic, which really worried me. I instantly checked his gums, heart rate and I should have check his temp, but the thermometer was all the way in the tack room, so I just felt him (which is so accurate lol). I shoved his halter on and grabbed the hose. I cold hosed him for at leat 10 minutes, until he was perkier.
Normally, I tend to instantly panic. My first thoughts in my head were OMG! He made it through that stinking quarentine barn and now he gets heat stroke! I start thinking of all the things I should be doing to treat it. Problem is...no heat stroke. lol Just a really hot horse that will be put in his stall with fans during the day and have turn-out at night...from now on.

PANIC!!

Bug bites, even after all the bug spray. I could just SPIT!

Yup, look at that perfection...

It was so freaking hot this evening I just passed on the riding. I grabbed all the bath stuff. I thought he would enjoy a nice cooling massage. Just as we were about to finish up with the bath, the sky turns grey. SUPER! AGAIN!?

I love my truck!

I watched the sky and quickly noticed that this storm was blowing away from the barn, how I don't know. And I didn't care, I just loved the thought of the temperature dropping 10*. I waited it out. No rain! Woooohooo! I went to the arena and set up some jumps. Olly probably wan't as happy as I was, but he would live.
I set the jumps up in a circle. Time to maintain some balance and collection for longer than just one or two jumps. We started out with some new looking jumps. Olly picked all the new ones out. Smart boy. He had to touch them and then he was ok.

The lattice with my standards.

How show worthy is that?? LOL

We did the circle to the left first, since that is his "good" way and then cirlced to the right. As always he was great. I rode with Tif and her Appendix paint Solei. He is 4. After we did the circle a few times we had a little fun(as if we weren't already). Who can jump the highest...my guess? ME and OLLY! DUH! Well, Tif and Solei-2'9" Olly and I-3ft.

Don't I look cute?? Too hot for breeches today!